Purgatory Workshop.
A workshop legendary among Dwarves. The blazing flames of Hell are terrifying for villains, but for Dwarves, they are the best fire that can refine any metal.
It’s not for nothing that Dwarves are called maniacs. The Purgatory Workshop serves as a textbook, revealing everything ancient Dwarves thought about Hell.
After taking down the Iron Men at the entrance, Hans opened the door and stepped inside with the members of the Dwarf Republic. Beyond the vault-like door that was firmly shut, countless decorations and patterns awaited.
The splendor felt almost like gazing upon a palace. Considering that recent Dwarves haven’t prioritized aesthetics other than weapons, this was an exceptional workshop.
However, there was a distinct difference from other workshops. Down below, an underground space loomed far away. It was dozens of floors deep, befitting the name “Purgatory.”
“I feel like there’s something down there,” one said.
“We should head down first,” another suggested.
“Now that we’ve come this far, there’s no turning back,” a third chimed in.
At the edge of the underground space was a steel spiral staircase leading down. Hans stepped up first, with the others following.
“What kind of person is Commander Hans?” Beryl, who was walking alongside Ruby while being protected by the Gem Star, asked.
Ruby wanted to walk with Hans, but he had commanded her to guard Beryl instead. Being her first friend from the Dwarf Republic, Ruby complied without complaint. After a moment of thought in response to Beryl’s question, Ruby replied.
“Could it be that he has some other intent?”
“Huh? Other intent?”
“It means not to worry about it.”
Beryl tilted her head, pondering if Ruby harbored other feelings, but it seemed she didn’t. Ruby felt relieved; she didn’t want to add more rivals.
“It means he is an incredibly strong person. In many ways.”
“In many ways? Does that mean his heart is strong?”
“Yes, of course. It’s like looking at refined iron.”
“Refined iron… for a Dwarf to say that…”
Dwarves are craftsmen, hence they are not generous with praise. They might find it cringe-worthy, but their standards are high, making it hard for anything short of exceptional to please them.
Especially to compare with iron is the highest form of flattery for Dwarves. But such compliments are extremely rare. Only heroes who saved the Dwarf Republic might earn that. To hear it so easily… even Viral the Chancellor had likened the Commander to heavy iron. Beryl had just confirmed this.
The sheer power to handle the Iron Men that even Gem Stars struggled against—all while remaining unassuming and considerate—a noble knight.
‘Is this the kind of strength needed to rebuild the Royal Knights?’
He’s a man of broad capacity. He even possesses a level of power that feels dangerous if turned against enemies. Just how did such a person suddenly appear? Beryl couldn’t help but marvel.
This was evidence that Hans’ image-rebuilding was going quite well. Sure, there were those who might suspect him, but to deny it would mean dismissing the tremendous results Hans has shown.
Who could possibly dispute that? Soon, they arrived at the underground level. Entering, they were met with the colossal figure of an Iron Man. If the one seen at the entrance resembled a human, then the one before them could truly be considered a giant. It stood about 10 meters tall, easily capable of overpowering any ordinary structure. Hans was taken aback.
“Is that the Steel Giant?”
It was undoubtedly a giant. If it started rampaging here, it would be incredibly difficult to subdue. However, there was only one thing to do in such a situation.
“Get ready.”
“Yeah?”
“That thing will likely attack us.”
“What do you mean by…?”
[Two of the four jewels have been confirmed. King of the Iron Men, Mobile.]
It was a voice like metal scraping against steel. The chills ran down the spine of everyone gathered there. With a grinding sound, the Iron King’s joints began to move, rusted yet surprisingly nimble.
Hans was already aware of this. The reason being, he had played many games of this sort. It was clear that it would attack in a way that felt like a test.
But the other members and Dwarves didn’t think that way. They believed there would be trials, but thought the ones at the entrance were all there were.
“Commander Hans! Do you know something about that?!”
Given how casually Hans spoke about it, they sensed something was off. It was as if Hans knew something about the Iron King.
“Right now, that’s not important. We need to subdue it first,” Hans insisted.
Beryl nodded, understanding. It wasn’t wrong. Their top priority was to subdue the Iron King right in front of them.
With a scraping sound, the Iron King moved. Its fist slammed down onto the ground. BOOM!! The potent crash resonated like a heavy hammer shattering the floor. Hans shouted.
“Everyone, focus! If you take a direct hit, you’ll really die!!”
Hans’ shout jolted everyone out of their momentary inattention. The first to spring into action was Bayard. Grinning wildly, she charged.
“You scrap heap of rust!!! I’ll smash you to bits!!!”
Her madness revived once more. Or perhaps it couldn’t be called madness—perhaps it was just her true nature. Bayard leapt toward the Iron King’s face in an instant.
Bayard’s pure physical specs were on par with Yuren’s. Of course, this was assuming Yuren was in a human form. But nevertheless, it wasn’t a challenge for Bayard.
In an instant, she closed in on the Iron King’s face and swung her fist, hitting it with a thwack! The impact was like a hammer, sending the Iron King’s body flying backward. Hans shouted.
“Be careful next! Another attack is coming!”
“I know! Commander!!!”
Bayard instinctively sensed that the Iron King didn’t die from that hit. At the same time, a cold shiver ran down her spine. So, she immediately raised her arm like a sturdy shield.
Bayard’s strong arm barely stopped the Iron King’s punch. However, the shock sent her crashing into the wall. Crack! The shattered sound left a fissure in the steel wall.
To cover Bayard, Ruby moved next. Whoosh! The blazing flames heated the hammer Ruby held. Right then, the Iron King reacted.
[Warning! Ancestor’s flame detected! High-priority threat target set!]
“Ancestor’s flame? What’s that?!”
“That is…!!!”
With a clink, an unusual sound echoed as a bolt attached to the Iron King’s right arm retracted. In its place, something appeared—a cylindrical object that looked unmistakably like a cannon.
Oh my.
Did they really even make cannons?!
What the heck! Were ancient Dwarves monsters or what?!
But there was no time to hesitate. Hans snapped his fingers in unison with his index finger and middle finger. The unusual gesture froze time. Soon everything around turned gray.
Initially, he intended to get Ruby out of the way. But on reconsideration, this seemed like an opportunity. Hans crossed his arms, pondering how to use that cannon for self-destruction.
But what would be the best way to pull this off? After much thinking, Hans turned his gaze to the Divine Sword hanging at his waist. It had worked pretty well against the Mud Guardian before.
Using it again should yield good results this time as well. However, the challenge lay in how to get the Divine Sword in there. After much contemplation, he finally arrived at a simple answer: just throw it in.
Fortunately, the Iron’s cannon was pointed downward, and due to Bayard’s punch, it was on one knee, so it didn’t seem too hard to land the throw.
Hans flipped the sword upside down and slowly raised it. Inside the cannon, there appeared to be a projectile. With all his strength, Hans hurled the sword. Luckily, thanks to its sharpness, it pierced through successfully.
“Alright, that should do it.”
Then, time resumed. Naturally, the Iron King hadn’t caught wind of Hans’ setup. Consequently, it immediately fired the cannon. BOOM!! A massive explosion followed.
The blast was so powerful that it demolished not only the arm that the cannon was mounted on but obliterated the torso and head inside as well. Just as everyone gasped at the sudden turn of events…
Only Hans moved. He slowly walked forward and picked up the Divine Sword lying amidst the rubble. To Hans, it was just reclaiming his weapon.
But to the others, it looked like he had effortlessly wrecked the Iron King while leisurely surveying his surroundings. Especially Beryl, who could finally be certain. That was indeed Commander Hans.
The Commander of the Royal Knights, showcasing overwhelming power.
A being that should never be turned into an enemy.
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